Wensleydale Sheep

Yesterday Theresa, Bonne Marie and I spent a fun day out in the country.  Yep, three city girls out in the country!  We journeyed out to Marengo to that most wonderful of fiber shops -- The Fold!

I did find the wheel of my dreams, but didn't purchase it (a Lendrum black walnut Saxony, for those who are interested).  I tried out lots of other wheels too -- mostly because Theresa was looking for a wheel and since she was pulling them all out I had to give them a try too; and I have to say it was a lot of fun.  The only wheel I had ever spun on was my Ashford Joy which I purchased through the mail having never spun on a wheel in my life  - *gasp*!!

Oh  yeah. . . I was going to tell you about the Wensleydale, wasn't I?  Well, there wasn't a single solitary skein of Socks that Rock in the entire shop -- can you believe it?  I think we hit it right in between the old put up and the new, so maybe that's the problem.  I didn't walk away without anything from Blue Moon though!  See that gorgeous fiber up top?  That's some Wensleydale (so I finally get to the Wensleydale. . . ) in the "Flintstone" colorway.  Now I'm very impatient and today I already tore a chunk off and spun it up on the Joy, made a center pull ball and two plied it.  Here's the results. . .

The Wensleydale is a handsome sheep with long, lustrous locks.  Unlike a BFL or Merino, the wool isn't really all that springy.  I would describe it more as a drapey wool and I believe it is used in weaving quite a bit although I saw on some site that it makes lovely, durable socks.  Hmmmm. . . .

It was very nice to spin up and reminded me a bit of my experience with Romney, although the Wensleydale is much finer and quite softer.  I haven't given my little sample skein it's bath yet, but I'm hoping it will soften up even more with a good washing. 

Other goodies were purchased, including some things that should help me to get my loom up and running.  My last attempt at weaving was somewhat of a disaster, but I am now armed with Learning to Weave and a woven scarf kit from Blue Moon.  I was up late last night reading all about warping the loom -- how exciting!

Guess I better run because I had a bit of BFL on a spool that I quickly plied before spinning up the Wensleydale and I figured, why set the twist when you can set the twist and kool-aid dye at the same time?  Well, I just remembered that I threw the skein in a pyrex measuring cup with a couple packets of kool-aid & some hot water about 3 hours ago.  Must go see what it looks like!

** Update **  Well, I checked out the kool-aid dyed mini skein of BFL and it's kinda dark pink and very fruity smelling despite *many* rinsings -- some which included soap.  The "dye bath" was a super dark red and this is all I get?  And every rinsing brings me more bleeding.  I tried kool-aid dyeing once before with equally sketchy results.  Think I'll stick to the lanaset dyes in the future.

Comments

[--Deb]

Weaving is definitely something I'd love to learn one of these days. I keep looking at rigid heddle looms . .. they're not ridiculously expensive, right?? (grin) Good luck! And that itty little ball of handspun is gorgeous.

[Danielle]

I can find Socks that Rock here in town but I can't find any of the roving...go figure.

I kool Aid dye a lot and I add a splash of vinger and it seem to take more dye. I use really hot water and cover it over night and it will exhaust.

[Brooke]

Pretty handspun! Looks like it would make some nice soft socks.

[Scout]

I would be so afraid to walk into Blue Moon. Actually, I'm trying to convince my store to get Socks that Rock in. DANGEROUS!

[Maggie]

I read your previous kool-aid post as well...maybe you're not heating long enough to set the dye? I tried kool-aid dyeing for the first time this weekend and I'm not having any trouble with running or bleeding colour. I baked mine in the oven at 200 for close to an hour.

[Chris]

I never have any luck with Kool Aid dyeing. I do much better with Wilton's.

[Kirsten]

I love the Deborah Chandler book!! I refer to it every time I warp my loom - and I love the front to back method of warping she teaches. Have fun! Will you post pictues of your scarf in progress?

[Bonne Marie]

OOH! That *Flintstone* colorway is scrumptious! It is very exciting for me to see it spun up already and looking so good - thanks for having ants in your pants!

I had to go get out my sheep book and look up the breeds again :)

[Risa]

Gorgeous wensleydale! Good choice on wheels too. I have a Lendrum Saxony, but in the maple. While I don't spin on it near often enough, it is a wonderful wheel and I am always pleasantly reminded of how good it is when I do pull it out.

[Jess]

you can heat your dye & yarn in the microwave - this works very well for me. putb yarn in dyebath (microwave-safe dish, of course) into the microwave for 2 minutes on high. let rest 2 minutes, nuke 2 more minutes. if you haven't exhausted the dyebath yet, let rest 2 more minutes and nuke 2 more. When you're satisfied with the product, remove it from the microwave and let it cool before rinsing.

oh, before dyeing, i soak my yarn in a sinkful of warm water with a slug of vinegar. you don't necessarily need to do this, as kool-aid should be acidic enough to set on its own, but the vinegar doesn't hurt and seems to cut the fruit smell a bit.

good luck!

[Rose]

You didn't mention if you added vinegar. You need it as a mordent to set the dye - plus add heat. Microwave as mentioned above or put on stove... the water will be clear when you take it out.

Great store isn't it. I was going to head out for spinning on Saturday, but was feeling like a slug. I saw her trying to decide which wheel and added my 2-cents. (lol).

[Jasmin]

Simply gorgeous!